Unmount dead hard disk on start up using automator

Question

I have a powerbook with a dead internal hard drive.
I currently boot from a firewire drive just fine
using a Carbon Copy Clone of the other drive.
Just one problem: the hard drive clicks for about 15 minutes
trying to work, and then gives up.
I would like to create an applescript, or use automator,
to automatically unmount the dead drive on startup,
so that the system will stop trying to reference it
and it will stop its accursed clicking.
What is the default path to the internal hard drive?
This is the best partial lead I have gotten so far, for unmounting an inappropriate volume; I am aware the syntax or path may be off.
Also: Disk Utility does not find the dead drive... period.
Thanks for any suggestions or solutions
Mo Lohaus
Partial Lead:
Open up /Applications/Applescript/Script Editor, and enter this:
do shell script "diskutil unmount \"/Volumes/WindowsPartition\""
Replace WindowsPartition with the name of the partition that has Windows on it.
Hit the Compile button, and then File -> Save As... -> Save as application.Save the newly created application somewhere, like /Applications.
Then go to System Preferences -> Login items, and make the app a login item. Check the hide box and you won't see the icon in the dock.
When you first log in after a restart, the partition will be mounted, but will unmount after about 10 seconds or so. Hopefully that is secure enough for your needs.

Answer 1

You could visit the iFixit.com site and read through their guides
on how to replace the hard disk drive in your computer, & do it.
• PowerBook Repair - iFixit:
http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/PowerBook
Usually the PowerBook design is less difficult than the iBook
when it comes to replacement of an internal hard disk drive.
And I'm wondering, if you can use the X or other key on startup
to find another boot volume on an external hard disk drive to
run the computer from, to choose an alternative without having
the internal failed hard drive clicking away all that time. Yet, to
have the working external FW drive seen immediately by the
PowerBook, seems well within reasonable reach.
I've ran many computers from a clone or second system outside
of the computer's case, using the System's startup disk panel to
choose it. So, if the external is available to the computer, and it
is seen correctly, the internal drive should not chatter or try to run.
Replacement of the internal hard disk drive, of course, remains
to be the ideal answer; as you undoubtedly realize. Perhaps
the pressing nature of this will force you into taking the plunge.
Good luck & happy computing!